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Italian Sausage Minestrone

Name: Italian Sausage Minestrone
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Yield: 13 servings (3-1/4 quarts).
Cuisine: Europe, Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound bulk Italian sausage; 2 large carrots, chopped; 2 celery ribs, chopped; 1 medium onion, chopped; 6 garlic cloves, minced; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 7 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth; 2 cans (15 ounces each) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained; 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained; 2 bay leaves; 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1 cup ditalini or other small pasta; Shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese

23 reviews

Contest Winner

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. + freezing Cook: 1-1/4 hours

Makes

13 servings (3-1/4 quarts)

This no-fuss minestrone is perfect family fare on chilly days. Feeling daring? Substitute a can of butter beans or pinto beans for one of the cans of cannellini beans. I serve it with warm with crusty French bread for dipping into the broth.—Elizabeth Renteria, Vancouver, Washington

Italian Sausage Minestrone Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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Ingredients

1 pound bulk Italian sausage
2 large carrots, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
7 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 cans (15 ounces each) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup ditalini or other small pasta
Shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese

Directions

In a Dutch oven, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain.
In the same pan, saute the carrots, celery, onion and garlic in oil until tender. Stir in the broth, beans, tomatoes, bay leaves, Italian seasoning, tomato paste and sausage. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes, adding pasta during the last 6-8 minutes. Cook, uncovered, until pasta is tender.

Can you freeze Italian Sausage Minestrone?

Before adding pasta, cool soup. Freeze soup and cheese separately in freezer containers for up to 3 months. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Place in a Dutch oven. Bring to a boil. Stir in pasta; return to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, for 6-8 minutes or until pasta is tender. Serve with cheese.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 280 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 828mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 12g protein.